Ministers told not to shelve proposals to impose £1,000 fines and three months in prison.
Students who climb on war memorials during their protests could face harsh punishment (Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Labour has been urged not to drop plans to punish thugs who climb on war memorials
The tough measures were announced by the Conservatives in February and written into proposed legislation.
But there are concerns the policy could be watered down or dropped altogether after civil servants proposed ditching it.
It is understood Whitehall officials have recommended the move to create a specific offence for the behaviour should be shelved because it is covered in other laws.
Home Office insiders claim ministers are fighting to keep the policy and are determined it features in new crime legislation.
A vandalised war memorial in Tralee, Co Kerry (Image: Express)
A Home Office source said: “Labour ministers will do everything in their power to make sure this crime is outlawed.”
The source pointed out that Home Office minister Diana Johnson is on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and “will do everything in her power to make sure this happens”.
But the slow progress has sparked widespread concerns, especially as it comes just after Remembrance Day.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp warned that ditching the measure would be “wrong and misguided”.
He added: “I introduced this measure in the Criminal Justice Bill as police minister, and the new Government should carry it forward.
“Disrespecting war memorials – and by extension fallen veterans – should be an offence. There is a gap in the law, which should be filled.”
The Kelvingrove Park memorial in Glasgow after being vandalised with spraypaint (Image: Garry F McHarg/Daily Record)
Alicia Kearns, the shadow minister for foreign affairs, said: “I sincerely hope this is not true.
“There is no excuse to remove these measures, which protect our war memorials and the vital role they play in remembrance of those who gave their lives for our tomorrow.”
Labour ministers in the Home Office are considering which elements of the old Tory legislation to include in their new Crime and Policing Bill, expected to be unveiled in the first half of next year.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is likely to have the final say on the move.
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said: “It’s beggars belief that unelected civil servants want to allow thugs who climb on war memorials to go unpunished.
“We must never forget the sacrifice of those who defended our country and ensured our freedom. The least we can do is ensure thugs are deterred from climbing and vandalising these sacred memorials.
“Quite simply, anyone caught doing it should face the full force of the law.”
